One of the things Deans values in his players more than just about anything is leadership. Pat McCabe was elevated to the leadership group under Deans because he is a straightforward, die- for-the-cause kind of bloke. Despite his relatively limited experience at the top level, too.
Under Cheika, the selection of Dennis as skipper was probably a surprise given the presence of a guy like Benn Robinson, but it is an inspired decision in hindsight. Cheika spent time in preseason getting inside the heads of his players, and picked the unassuming bloke from western Sydney who is all about hard work and seeing those around him succeed. I can even forgive him for pulling on that disgusting blue and gold hooped jersey at this point.
In the last few weeks Dennis has shown the kind of leadership Deans wants on the field as well, and probably saw in previous tours and campaigns for the Wallabies. Looking at the way the Tahs stuck to their guns against the Stormers, and the crucial decisions Dennis made in those last ten minutes, including his own physical presence at key moments, it is hard to leave the bloke out.
He's also the lineout caller for the Tahs, which everyone seems to think gives Simmons an automatic call up despite his many shortcomings.
So I think, yet again, we can call this contentious until the cows wander in for a feed and a bit of tit work, but Deans has his reasons, and none of them involve personally disagreeing with a bunch of idiots on a rugby forum.
